Driver Responsible For 2 DWI Crashes Minutes Apart Arrested: Police

YORKTOWN, NY — A drunken driver who managed to cause two separate car crashes, just minutes apart, according to police, was arrested after turning himself in.

The Yorktown Police Department says that 62-year-old Vasel Balbona, of Cortlandt Manor, was arrested last week and charged in connection to the two crashes.

On July 24, at around 11:05 a.m., Yorktown police received a report of a two-car accident on Route 118, shortly followed by a report of a second accident nearby on Route 100, by the intersection with Route 118.

Balbona was identified as the driver of the vehicle that was involved in both accidents, according to police.

After an accident investigation, police say that Balbona was traveling on Route 100 when he struck another vehicle from behind and fled the scene of that accident on Route 118. He then failed to maintain his lane and drove left of the pavement markings, entering the opposite lane of travel, and collided with an oncoming vehicle, according to cops.

After a DMV check of Balbona's license status, police found that he operated a vehicle while his privilege to do so was revoked for previous DWI convictions. In addition, he was operating a vehicle without an interlock device installed. They also alleged that Balbona was driving while intoxicated by alcohol and had a BAC of .18 percent or more.

Balbona arrived at the Yorktown Police Department headquarters on January 16, and was arrested.

His charges included felony DWI with 2 prior convictions; felony aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or more with 2 prior convictions; felony first degree aggravated unlicensed operation; misdemeanor operating a vehicle without an interlock device installed; and three traffic infractions: leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failing to use designated lane, and driving to left of pavement markings.

After processing, he was arraigned and remanded to the Westchester County Jail without bail. Balbona is due to appear in the Yorktown Justice Court on February 6.